On 24 June 2022, the musical theatre company Judas TheaterProducties received the news that it will not receive operating subsidies from the Flemish Government. Earlier this year, however, the company was able to receive project funding for the revival of "Josephine B." which will premiere on 6 October 2022.
Over the past 15 years, Judas has produced highly acclaimed musical creations, including "Ganesha – Een perfecte god", "Lelies", "Pauline & Paulette", "De Muze van Rubens", "De Rozenoorlog", "Goodbye, Norma Jeane" and "Iedereen Beroemd". The company won a total of 14 Flemish Musical Awards, consistently offered opportunities to young talent and in the coming seasons productions such as "Goodbye, Norma Jeane", "De Rozenoorlog" and "Josephine B." will be seen in more than 10 countries.
It is very unfortunate that there is no longer room for the musical genre in the subsidised Flemish arts field. Nevertheless, Judas was awarded project funding 4 times in the past and received structural support between 2013 and 2016.
Despite a strong application and general appreciation for the company, Judas was unable to convince the musical theatre commission and the final recommendation was negative. Flemish Minister Jambon followed the negative advice of the commission.
The final stop
Therefore, the company has decided that the production "Josephine B." will be the very last Judas musical. On 8 December 2022, the last performance of "Josephine B." will be performed and on that day the curtain falls irrevocably.
No new productions will be made from then on. However, Judas will continue its international journey.
The artistic core of Judas has always developed original musical productions with the greatest care and passion for the genre. The final stop of Judas does not need to mean at all that there is no longer room for original, small-scale, artistically high-quality musical creations and the current artistic core will continue to encourage every valuable initiative.
Josephine B.
"Josephine B." starring Sandrine, Kobe Van Herwegen, Matthew Michel and Juan Gerlo can be seen from 1 October 2022 in the Rode Zaal of the Fakkeltheater and on tour through Flanders.